One day Jumper came whining into the schoolroom. He took hold of
Margery's dress and pulled and pulled.
"What do you wish, dear Jumper?" asked Margery.
But the dog only whined and pulled her toward the door. At last Margery
went outdoors to see what was the matter.
Then Jumper left her and ran back into the schoolroom. He took hold of
the dress of one of the little girls and tugged and tugged. At length
she too followed Jumper to the door.
By this time all the children were on their feet and quickly followed
the teacher out of the schoolroom.
They were none too soon. The last little girl had hardly passed the door
when, with a great crash, the roof fell in.
All the children were safe, but what had become of Margery's dear books
and letters and other things?
Margery did not lose her school. A rich man who lived near ordered the
schoolhouse to be rebuilt at his own expense.
Another gentleman, Sir Charles Jones, having heard of Margery's good
sense, offered her a home if she would teach his daughter. In fact he
finally fell in love with Margery, and they were married in the great
church. And what do you think! On her wedding day, while the bells were
ringing, Margery's brother Tommy came home. He had become the captain of
a great ship. He had sailed to many lands, and he brought her all kinds
of presents. Do you think she deserved to be very happy?
She did not forget the children, you may be sure. A house in the village
was fitted up as a school, and all the boys and girls were taught to
read and write.
_Ascribed to_ GOLDSMITH